“Very rarely have I met a more impressive person than Tammy Duckworth,” said Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., in an article the day before she announced her candidacy Dec. 18. “She just has the poise and exudes the type of character that I think would make her an astounding public servant.”

Duckworth is happy to point out that she and Hawai’i-raised Punahou graduate Obama have “a kama’aina connection.”

Both were born outside the country  Obama in Indonesia, Duckworth in Thailand  and graduated from high school in Honolulu  Punahou and McKinley, respectively.

“The big thing for me is that I’m a McKinley High grad,” said Duckworth. “That gives you a lot of street creds. I wasn’t a rich kid.”